It was a groundbreaking year in 2010, with The University of Akron men’s soccer team setting

many records while capturing the school’s first ever National Championship. 2011 has kicked off

in similar record-breaking fashion, with seven Zips drafted in this year’s Major League Soccer

It was a groundbreaking year in 2010, with The University of Akron men’s soccer team setting

many records while capturing the school’s first ever National Championship. 2011 has kicked off

in similar record-breaking fashion, with seven Zips drafted in this year’s Major League Soccer

Five of the first eight players selected in the first round are from UA, breaking Wake Forest’s

record of four in the 2010 MLS draft. Akron also set the record for most selections by a team

in the draft, which was previously held by Wake Forest in 2009 when six players were drafted

This is exciting, said Head Coach Caleb Porter. These are seven guys who have done a lot for

No. 2 overall by the expansion Portland Timbers. Nagbe finished the season with seven goals

contests for UA this year and recorded six goals. Sophomore defender Zarek Valentin went No.4

A few picks later, junior defender Kofi Sarkodie heard his name called as he was picked No. 7

overall by the Houston Dynamo. Sarkodie, who was named Soccer America Player of the Year,

Vancouver, an expansion team for the 2011 MLS season, selected No. 8 after trading midfielder

Nathan Sturgis for Toronto’s first round pick, choosing junior midfielder Michael Nanchoff.

Nanchoff, who netted a career-high 10 goals this season and nine assists, was named All-Great

Getting five guys drafted in the first eight picks justifies for these guys that it was the right

time, said Porter. I know that they’re all going to do well, and I know that they have been

Korb, a defender who was selected with the 31st overall pick by D.C. United, started every game

for Akron after transferring from Xavier in 2007. The senior logged in a total of 2,208 minutes

this season and was a key to Akron’s dominating defense not only in 2010, but also in 2009,

games played with 93, was selected 33rd overall all by the San Jose Earthquakes. A four-time

letter winner who recorded a total of 17 goals and 30 assists, Ampaipitakwong was one of the

The MLS Super Draft, held this year at the Baltimore Convention Center, is an annual event

that allows MLS teams to select players who have graduated from college or have otherwise

been signed by the league. For Akron, this marked the third straight year a player from UA was

In the 55-year history of The University of Akron’s soccer program, a total of six players have

been selected to play in the MLS, truly showing the rarity of this year’s seven players being

I’m honored to have worked with these guys and I know that we’re going to miss them and so

are the fans, but now they can watch them at the next level, said Porter. It’s been rewarding,

and that’s one of the reason why I’m at the level I am at. I get a real rush working with these